Abstract: A rule packaging system and method to define and/or package parameters, attributes, enumerations of a prime rule in a reduced canonical form suitable for propositional logic manipulation using, for example, zero-suppressed binary decision diagrams. The reduced form of the prime rule is subsequently used by applying a series of user inputs to determine a result that preferably includes conflict and selection advice to guide the user to satisfaction. Elective events, such as but not limited to the display of messages or the performance of calculations, may optionally be packaged along with the prime rule or components thereof, and presented during execution to help guide an end user to satisfaction or compliancy when choosing among possible configuration parameters. The apparatus automates determination of a complex rule having a combinatorial exploded number of rule components, or a combinatorial number of possible outcomes, exceeding computational capacity of present day computing systems.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus or computer-readable medium to provide selection advice during rule processing to help a user choose desired specifications of a product, service, or other rule-based system characterized by a ZDD rule model having one or more Include and/or Exclude rules. One aspect includes displaying on a monitor or other I/O device multiple attributes having multiple enumerations that identify possible feature, specifications, or conditions of a product; selecting multiple alternative enumerations of the attributes; determining a selection advice for each enumerations selected combining the selection advice for each numerations in order to produce result; communicating the result to an end user; and then using the result to choose a product having desired compliant specifications or conditions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus therefore, and/or computer-readable medium to provide selection advice during rule processing to help a user choose desired specifications of a product, service or other rule-based system characterized by a ZDD rule model having one or more Include and/or Exclude rules. One aspect includes displaying on a monitor or other I/O device multiple attributes having multiple enumerations that identify possible feature, specifications, or conditions of a product; selecting multiple alternative enumerations of the attributes; determining a selection advice for each enumeration selected; combining the selection advice for each enumerations in order to produce a result; communicating the result to an end user; and then using the result to choose a product having desired compliant specifications or conditions. The product may include a service offering.

Abstract: A rule processing apparatus includes modules for defining/entering attributes, enumerations, and/or relationships; packaging the definitions in a reduced canonical form suitable for propositional logic manipulation using zero-suppressed binary decision diagrams (Zdd) to produce a prime Zdd; and/or (iii) executing the rule by applying a series of user inputs to the prime Zdd to determine a result that preferably includes conflict and selection advice to guide the user to satisfaction. Elective events, such as but not limited to the display of messages or the performance of calculations, may optionally be packaged along with the prime rule or components thereof, and presented during execution to help guide the end user to satisfaction or compliancy when choosing among possible selections.

Abstract: A rule processing apparatus includes modules for defining/entering attributes, enumerations, and/or relationships; packaging the definitions in a reduced canonical form suitable for propositional logic manipulation using zero-suppressed binary decision diagrams (Zdd) to produce a prime Zdd; and/or (iii) executing the rule by applying a series of user inputs to the prime Zdd to determine a result that preferably includes conflict and selection advice to guide the user to satisfaction. Elective events, such as but not limited to the display of messages or the performance of calculations, may optionally be packaged along with the prime rule or components thereof, and presented during execution to help guide the end user to satisfaction or compliancy when choosing among possible selections.